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A New Leaf Materialism Essay

1096 Words5 Pages

Have you ever felt used or stuck in a relationship? Addicted to loving someone or something? Have you ever seen a person completely change who they are? In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story “A New Leaf,” the author explores several themes, including social class, addiction, and change. Told through a third-person limited point of view, the antagonist Dick Ragland, a wealthy man who has wasted his fortune on senseless pursuits, and Julia Ross the protagonist, the lover girl of Dick Ragland, Fitzgerald demonstrates the dangers of living a life driven solely by materialism. In “A New Leaf”, F. Scott Fitzgerald tastefully explores the complexities of social class, addiction to love and alcohol, and the changes in people and values. Through the …show more content…

Dick Ragland, the antagonist, comes from a wealthy family, but he has spent his inheritance on drinking, partying, and other wrongdoings. He finds himself under serious financial strain and is forced to marry Julia Ross, a woman from a wealthy family, to maintain his lifestyle. However, he quickly realizes that he has married into a family with a dark past and a questionable source of wealth. When Dick tries to adapt to his new life, he becomes extremely aware of the class differences between himself and his wife’s family. He feels like an outsider and struggles to fit in with the upper-class society that his wife and her family are a part of since he threw his wealth away on alcohol. Fitzgerald uses Dick Ragland to show the shallow nature of social class differences. Despite his wealth, he is unhappy and unfulfilled, and his attempts to fit in with his wife’s family only prove these feelings of discomfort. He realizes that material possessions and social status are not the keys to happiness, and that true fulfillment comes from living a life that is meaningful and purposeful. "I only love you, Julia…you’re all that I have,” (Fitzgerald, 1931) Dick comes to realize that Julia is the sole purpose in his life and that he messed their relationship up by choosing the wrong decisions at the wrong times. Dick would choose to go with his addictions rather than the love of his …show more content…

Mr. Ragland is addicted to the lifestyle that his wealth affords him. He is used to living a life of excess and satisfaction, and he is unable to break free from his destructive habits. Even when he realizes that he is in financial trouble, he continues to spend money recklessly on alcohol, unable to face the reality of his situation. “About the time I came into some money I found that with a few drinks, I got extensive and somehow could please people…” (Fitzgerald, 1931) Dick abused the money that he had to buy alcohol to fill his obsession with drinking and pleasing people. This addiction to material possessions and pleasure soon leads him to marry Julia, a decision that they both later regret. Fitzgerald portrays addiction as a powerful force that can control and manipulate individuals. Through Dick’s character, Fitzgerald demonstrates how addiction can blind people to their faults and prevent them from making positive changes in their lives. “I suppose there's not much use apologizing for this morning. I didn't know what I was doing, but that's no excuse…” (Fitzgerald, 1931) Dick was so caught up with himself that he couldn’t look past himself for others to see how badly he affected them. However, the story also suggests that it is possible to overcome addiction and make positive changes. Dick Ragland eventually realizes that he needs to change his lifestyle to find happiness, and he makes the difficult decision

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